A nation’s energy future is only as strong as the people empowered to drive it. For SBM Offshore Guyana, that belief comes to life through its Trainee Technician Programme, a flagship initiative designed to equip young Guyanese with the technical expertise and industry exposure needed to excel in the country’s expanding oil and gas sector.
Launched in 2020, the programme has already produced three successful cohorts of graduates from its intensive 18-month training.
Now, with the recent adoption of the curriculum by the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated (GTTCI), future trainees will be able to complete the full programme right here in Guyana, marking a major milestone in local capacity building.
In August, the fourth cohort of trainee technicians completed the first phase of the programme in Advanced Skills Training in Canada. Upon their return to Guyana, the 20 Guyanese commenced the second leg of training at the Facility Simulator (FacTor) Unit of the GTTCI in Port Mourant.
In earlier years, overseas training was essential to prepare participants in their specialised disciplines such as instrumentation, production, mechanical and electrical. However, with the establishment of the GTTCI, Guyana now has the capacity to deliver the first phase of the training locally.
The fourth cohort marks a turning point; it is the last group to undertake phase one abroad before all future training is conducted in-country. It is a milestone that underscores how far the industry, and Guyana itself, have come in just a few short years.
The Canadian experience nevertheless offered unique benefits. Trainees were immersed in an international environment, building resilience and professionalism while adjusting to life far from home.
For many, the months away were marked by challenges. Several spoke of missing their families deeply and adjusting to a different environment. Yet, these experiences forged strength, discipline and belief in oneself; qualities that will serve them well as they step into vital roles on the offshore facilities.
Each successive group represents SBM Offshore Guyana’s long-term investment in building a highly skilled Guyanese workforce.
More than a training programme, it is a sustained commitment to ensuring that local talent is at the center of the nation’s energy success story. This cohort also includes four women breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field
The trainees’ stories speak to resilience, ambition and a shared vision of national progress. They embody the future of the industry, a future where Guyanese expertise fuels Guyana’s prosperity.
“Step outside your comfort zone, a career in the oil and gas sector requires dedication and discipline but it also offers incredible opportunities for growth.” – Ashyana Khan, Production Trainee Technician.
The Government of Guyana, with the support of ExxonMobil Guyana, is now spearheading the capacity building of young Guyanese through this programme, and is overseeing the second phase of training for the fourth cohort as well as the full training for the fifth cohort of SBM Offshore Guyana trainee technicians at GTTCI.
